Melasma is a kind of skin condition affecting a wide range of populations. Dark, discolored spots appear on your skin as a result of the illness. Let us discuss the symptoms, treatment, and causes of melasma in this article.

Patches of discoloration are caused by melasma. The spots are darker than the rest of your skin. It usually appears on the face and is symmetrical, with identical marks on both sides. It may develop even in other parts of the body that are frequently exposed to skin.

When it affects pregnant women, it’s known as chloasma or the “mask of pregnancy.” Women are far more likely than men to get the illness, while men can also develop it. Melasma affects 90 percent of women, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Patches of brownish color usually develop on the:

• cheekbones
• forehead
• nose bridge
• chin areas

It’s also possible to get it on your neck and forearms. Although skin darkening does not have any physical consequences, people may become self-conscious about their appearance.

Cause and Risk Factors

The exact cause of melasma is unknown. Individuals with darker complexion are more vulnerable than those with lighter skin. This condition may also be connected to the imbalance in estrogen and progesterone sensitivity. This condition can be triggered by birth control pills, pregnancy, and hormone therapy. Melasma is thought to be caused by stress and thyroid disorders.

Furthermore, UV rays instigate the melanocytes resulting in pigmentation.

Diagnosis

Melasma is diagnosed in a variety of ways. Melasma is generally diagnosed with a visual examination of the afflicted area. Your healthcare provider may also conduct testing to rule out particular causes. A Wood’s lamp examination is one method of testing. This is a unique type of light that is held against your skin. This helps clinicians to decide how many layers of skin were affected and also to decide whether it is a bacterial or fungal infection. They may also do a biopsy to check for any significant skin disorders.

Is it possible to get rid of melasma?

In most cases, melasma disappears on its own like those which are first seen during pregnancy or at the time of use of birth control drugs. There are creams that your doctor can prescribe to help brighten your skin. Topical steroids may also be prescribed to help lighten the afflicted regions. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion are options if they don’t work. These peels of your skin cause them to lighten.

Melasma may reappear after these procedures, and certain cases of melasma cannot be entirely lightened. To limit the chance of melasma recurrence, you may need to return for follow-up consultations and adhere to particular skin treatment measures. These include limiting your exposure to the sun and applying sunscreen on a daily basis.

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Melasma: Coping and Living With It

It is not necessary that medication will cure all cases of melasma, therefore there are things that can be done from worsening the melasma. These are some of them:

• Using cosmetics to conceal discoloration
• Taking recommended medication and using SPF 30 sunscreen every day
• wearing a hat with a wide brim that protects or shades your face
• If you’ll be in the sun for an extended amount of time, wearing protective clothing is very crucial.
• Consult your doctor or counselors if you’re self-conscious about your melasma. Meeting other people who have the same illness or talking to someone about it can help you feel better.
• If pregnancy or birth control pills caused your melasma, the discolored patches may fade on their own after the pregnancy or when you stop taking the drugs.
• However, you might want to consider treating your melasma at home. Some of the remedies are:

Aloe vera

The use of a topical, liposome-encapsulated aloe vera preparation on pregnant women with melasma greatly improved their melasma.

Polypodium leucotomos

This fern can be found in Central and South America. Kalawalla and Heliocare are two brands that sell them. Caligula and anapsos are two other names for it. A review from 2014 Trusted Melasma can be treated by consuming Polypodium leucotomos orally, according to a source of literature. The researchers, however, do not provide a dosage recommendation.

Tranexamic acid

It is another effective oral therapy for melasma. This acid is a lysine derivative that has been synthesized.

Glutathione

Three amino acids make up this antioxidant (cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine). It can be present in almost all mammals. Glutathione reduced melanin in persons with melasma when taken orally compared to those who took a placebo. Hyperpigmentation is caused by an excess of melanin production.

Protect yourself from the sun

Keep your skin in good condition. Every day, reapply sunscreen every two hours. When you’re outside, consider putting on a wide-brimmed hat.

Medical care for melasma

A dermatologist might be recommended by your doctor. They can confirm a diagnosis and provide medical therapies to help you achieve a more even skin tone. Hydroquinone is a possible alternative. Hyperpigmentation is addressed with this topical. It comes as a lotion, gel, cream, or liquid with prescription strength. Treatments that may be used include:

• triple cream (combination of hydroquinone, tretinoin, and a corticosteroid)
• tretinoin 
• corticosteroids 
• Kojic acid 
• Azelaic acid
• Your dermatologist may offer a procedure to treat your melasma if topicals don’t work, such as:
• chemical peel
• dermabrasion
• microdermabrasion
• laser treatment
• light-based procedure
• microneedling